The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-05-28

buggy at the captains gate, and it was
equally astonishing to see the intimacy that
grow up between Ruth and her old school
mate, Sallie Morris 1t seemed as IL they
must always be together--Sallie spending
nights with Ruth and Ruth with Sallie.
what do those girls find so much to talk
nboutf' inquired the captain OF his wife
one evening, as he saw them parting reluc-
family.
"o,n said his wife, her little deprccating
smile lighting her face for an instant, "girls
can always find enough to talk about, an
tney do say DR.. Hargrave's waitin' on Sal
lie, an he an Bob are great friends you
know
"Well," said the captain approvingly,
Docs good match for Salie, but Bob In
grants worth dozen OF him. I should
think Ruth'd despisc fellow as easy car
ried of rs he was"
Mrs. Stcarns said nothing. In her heart
she had hoped Ruth would marry the doc
tor, but she never spoke to her daughter on
the subject, and IL Ruth noticed that her
mothers flckering smile grew less frc-
quent she said nothing only grew kinder
than ever in her manner toward her.
And now summer was almost done, and
the time for the all-important event of the
year In tho neighborhood, the camp-meet.
ing, drew near.
Although, as stated, the captain was not
q church member, no one more thoroughly
enjoyed these gatherings than he, and no
one made more ample preparations for en-
pertaining friends and strangers This year
he was interested, it seemed, more than
usual and when, one day in August, Sallie
Morris. who had become favorite of his,
drnyv him uoiln totl l.;
as great secret, that she was going to be
married during the meeting, and on the
camp grounds, and that she wanted Ruth
to be married at the same time, he was de-
lighted.
Just think, captain" she went on, rap
idly, not giving him chance to speak,
'how nice it would be. We are enough
alike to be sisters, only Ruth is the slim
NEST and has no freckles. And we would
dress alike and Doc and Bob think it's a
splendid plan"
"Well," he answered, you and tho doctor
seem to have matters fixed, but / dunno
bout Bob and Ruth. They've not con.
suited me. However, IL it suits them it
does me-"
Sallie laughed gaily.
Don't you want a kiss. captainl" she
said, holding up her pretty face.
He laughed as he took tho offered kiss;
anu she ran away, telling him not to tell
anybody about it, as Mrs. Stearns might be
jealous.
A day or two afterwards Mr. Bob In
grams buggy stood Mt the captains gate,
while ON the porch the captain was again
being interviewed. Bob's usual ready elo.
quence had deserted him in this hour of
need, and the captain really seemed to enjoy
his embarrassment. At last he stammered
something about himself and Sallie-no,
Rutland Doc and Ruth-no, Sallie-and
the campmeeting and his new house and
his corn crop, and finally said, had "the
captain any objections to Ruth's marrying
q good sort OF fellow that just worshiped
her."
This last sentence came clear and en-
phatic, and the captain at once shook hands
with him, and invited him to the house. saw.
ing:
'Ruth is good girl, Bob; she'll make q
good wife"
eyes, sir, I know it," said Bob, who had
recovered his equanimity, shut must be
of. I am in hurry this morning Tell
Ruth I'll be over Sunday"
And Bob sprang into his buggy and drove
OF rapidly.
Laughing heartily, the captain entered
the room in which his wife sat sewing, and
coolly informed her that her daughter and
Bob ingram would be married the second
Sunday in September, and it behooved her
to get ready for the wedding
A few minutes later, Ruth, coming in.
found her mother crying.
30 RUTH" she sobbed, sshow can T yive
you upl"
Three weeks later, beautiful Septem.
ber morning found the captain and his fam.
lily arranging their quarters on the camp
ground in Elder creek. The scene was one
OF pleasant hustle and confusion. The rude
board tenements, which were fixtures on
the grounds" were being prepared for
tenancy by their owners; while, all around,
white tents were being spread, stoves, in
most cases, being put up behind them un-
der arbors built with forked saplings and
branches Of trees; wagons were being
driven into convenient places; horses being
cared for; and everywhere, running hither
and thither in everybody's way, and vet
in nobody's way, were children OF all ages,
down to the wee toddler scarcely able to
keep itself erect on its little feet.
But at ten O'Clock, when the bell sounded
the hour for preaching" silence fell.
Quietly, in groups or singly, as it CHANGED,
the people, old and young, gathered in the
circle around which the tents were placed,
and ut one portion OF which--in front of
what was known as tho ''preacher's tent''
"a platform had been erected, rooted with
green boughs
AS soon as the throng were seated on the
rude benches, avenerable minister appeared
on the stand, and the meeting was opened
in due form. After brief sermon, followed
by much exhorting, singing and praying,
the people were dismissed, to come together
attwO o'clock for afternoon service.
And now the captain began to enjoy him
self. How he hunted up old friends, and
how glad they were to meet. What count
less handshakngs there were, for every
body was rejoiced to meet every body, it
seemed that there was little time given to
dinner that first day. After the novelty is
past, and friends have exchanged greeting,
you will see the good danes bestirring
themselves to fill their tables with choice
food, each bent ON 'settin' the best table,
an feedin' the most folks"
But an what pen can do Justice to an old.
time camp-meeting, when, for brief period,
the toll and hardships of pioneer life were
forgotten; and, gathering as one family
around common altar, our fathers and
mothers made the ''groves, Gods first tenn
ple," resound with notes of PRAYER and
praisel
You may be sure gentle Mrs. Stearns met
many friends, and that her bountiful table
was daily surrounded by those who did
ample justice to her daintily prepared food.
Ruth fitted here and there, now assisting
her mother, now slipping away to chat with
5allie Morris, whose father, being a class |
leader, had large, commodious tent.
Neither DR.. Hargrave nor Bob Ingram
pn Hn t,AipS N Ga